Kyrgyzstan’s treaty to join Customs Union should respect national interests — PM

Business & Economy December 08, 2014, 18:11

A treaty on the republic’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union is expected to be signed on December 22

BISHKEK, December 8. /TASS/. Kyrgyzstan’s government aims to consider in detail all provisions of its treaty to join the Moscow-led Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and the Eurasian Economic Union, Prime Minister Joomart Otorbayev said on Monday.

“Russia supports Kyrgyzstan’s accession to integration associations,” Otorbayev said. “We are in advanced talks. We should now resolve some legal issues to prevent collisions while signing the treaty.”

“We should find an option most acceptable for the country and promote national interests,” he said. “It is possible if all agencies work together properly.”

Kyrgyz authorities decided to join the Customs Union in the spring of 2011. Six months later, the former Soviet republic filed an official request for accession. Its government is currently aligning legislation with that of the Customs Union and a wider planned Common Economic Space. A roadmap plan for integration approved by all interested parties says Kyrgyzstan will join by January 1, 2015.

A treaty on the republic’s accession to the Customs Union and the newly-formalised Eurasian Economic Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is expected to be signed on December 22.

The Eurasian Economic Union, which envisages the free movement of goods, services, capital and workforce and is based on the Customs Union, will also become operational from January next year. Membership is open to other states assessed as sharing the assembly's aims and principles, its founders say.

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